There may be a stronger than ever international presence in the 2017 Melbourne Cup nominations taken by Racing Victoria this week but the locals are not without a hope including the inclusion of Who Shot Thebarman chasing the classic for a fourth time.

The Chris Waller-trained Kiwi import is one of 13 stayers among the total 140 entries into this season’s Group 1 $6.2 million Emirates Melbourne Cup (3200m), which attracted 31 international contenders.

The veteran nine-year-old is out to make history as the oldest ever Melbourne Cup winner.

An evergreen son of Yamanin Vital, Who Shot Thebarman is a proven two miler having lined-up in eight previous starts over the traditional 3200m cup distance for a win, two seconds and a third placing.

His best result in a Melbourne Cup was his first year contesting the ‘race that stops a nation’ when placing third behind German raider Protectionist and the luckless Red Cadeaux back in 2014.

The galloper’s other Melbourne Cup results were an 11th to Darren Weir’s $101 roughie Prince Of Penzance in 2015 and his brave fifth behind Lloyd Williams’ fifth champion Almandin last Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival.

“From an Australasian perspective, it is great to see 2016 Melbourne Cup winner Almandin back among the entries along with Who Shot Thebarman, who is nominated for his fourth Cup,” Racing Victoria EGM of Racing Greg Carpenter said on Tuesday.

“They are among 10 starters from the 2016 Cup to nominate once again.”

Who Shot Thebarman has also enjoyed plenty of success in the equivalent race in New South Wales, the Group 1 Sydney Cup (3200m) held at Randwick each autumn.

In 2015 he was runner-up to stablemate Grand Marshal in the event going down a nostril flare, he finished fourth the following season to Gallante and then was back in the money in this year’s Sydney Cup when second to Polarisation.

That April 22 run was the latest run from Who Shot Thebarman who has trialled three times since at Randwick leading-up to his spring return.

Current all-in Melbourne Cup odds at Ladbrokes.com.au have the horse listed as a $41 shot to finally claim success, the same price he jumped at in the famous Flemington showdown last spring.

Other key Melbourne Cup nominees for Waller include progressive import Alward ($34) who won a 2000m race at Rosehill last weekend, proven stayer Life Less Ordinary ($34) also previously raced in Europe, French expat Sarrasin ($34) who ran third in Randwick’s Villiers stakes back in December and Egg Tart ($41).

Australasian Oaks – Queensland Oaks double winner Egg Tart also holds a nomination for the Group 1 $3 million BMW Caulfield Cup (2400m) on October 21 and is one of the early favourites for the win at $17.

Who Shot Thebarman returns to racing this weekend in Sydney taking on his superstar stablemate Winx in the Group 2 $250,000 Chelmsford Stakes (1600m).

To check out all the Melbourne Cup 2017 odds post-nominations and to get behind Waller’s star-studded spring contingent at the right price visit Ladbrokes.com.au today.